US20220355411A1 - Electric Connector Engaging a Welder to a Spot Welding Tool - Google Patents
Electric Connector Engaging a Welder to a Spot Welding Tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220355411A1 US20220355411A1 US17/872,902 US202217872902A US2022355411A1 US 20220355411 A1 US20220355411 A1 US 20220355411A1 US 202217872902 A US202217872902 A US 202217872902A US 2022355411 A1 US2022355411 A1 US 2022355411A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- coupling
- ball
- conductive member
- passage
- collar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012809 cooling fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012190 activator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004021 metal welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K11/00—Resistance welding; Severing by resistance heating
- B23K11/30—Features relating to electrodes
- B23K11/31—Electrode holders and actuating devices therefor
- B23K11/314—Spot welding guns, e.g. mounted on robots
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K11/00—Resistance welding; Severing by resistance heating
- B23K11/10—Spot welding; Stitch welding
- B23K11/11—Spot welding
- B23K11/115—Spot welding by means of two electrodes placed opposite one another on both sides of the welded parts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K11/00—Resistance welding; Severing by resistance heating
- B23K11/28—Portable welding equipment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K11/00—Resistance welding; Severing by resistance heating
- B23K11/36—Auxiliary equipment
- B23K11/362—Contact means for supplying welding current to the electrodes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B7/00—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections
- F16B7/10—Telescoping systems
- F16B7/14—Telescoping systems locking in intermediate non-discrete positions
- F16B7/1409—Telescoping systems locking in intermediate non-discrete positions with balls or rollers urged by an axial displacement of a wedge or a conical member
Definitions
- the disclosed device relates to the field of resistance welding more commonly known as spot welding. More particularly, this invention relates to an electrical connector having a receiving component or coupling adapted for positioning upon a hand held resistance or spot welding tool to communicate electric current thereto from a conductive member.
- the device herein employs a projecting translatable conductive member which is engaged to the welder or welding gun and which is configured to slide to a locked electric connection with the receiving component coupling located on the so called C-type or X-type welding tool which is operatively engaged to the welder or welding gun.
- Spot welding or resistance welding is a common manufacturing procedure of permanently engaging points upon two or more pieces of metal material through the formation of a spot weld at a point of contact between two electrodes or compression point. Prior to communication of electric current to the two electrodes positioned on opposite sides of the metal layers to be welded, force is applied between the electrodes to compress them on opposite sides of the metal layers at the spot welding point.
- the electric current is conventionally communicated at significant amperage for a period of time whereupon resistance from the metal material positioned between the electrodes, generates heat sufficient to melt it and weld the multiple metal layers together permanently.
- This type of spot welding is widely used in manufacturing and automotive industries and requires no filler metal or flux during the process.
- the C-type gun attachment is widely used.
- this arrangement leads to a high tooling flexibility, as the motion of the electrodes is collinear.
- the so called X-type electrode and tool arrangement provides less rigidity.
- the space between the two spot electrodes may be larger and the reachable workspace is far larger than with the C-type.
- the electric current to achieve the resulting spot weld when the two welding electrodes are compressed against the metal layers, must be provided by an electric connection to a conductive member, which interfaces between the welder and the spot welding electrodes.
- this conductive member may also serve to provide the force to the arms and welding electrodes at the spot weld site, to engage both opposing spot weld electrodes compressively.
- both the C-type and X-type tools are placed in a fixed engagement to a housing of a gun or welder, which employs a translating member which is mechanically or hydraulically or electrically powered to impart a force upon translation in either of two directions.
- a trigger activator in this arrangement, activates the power exerting the force to the translating member, to compress the first and second electrodes against opposite sides of the spot weld whereupon the electric current is activated to achieve the spot weld.
- the same trigger or release thereof is employable to reverse the force and move a pivoting arm and the electrode thereon away from the opposing electrode, to reinstate the gap therebetween.
- any directional prepositions if employed, such as up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device or depictions as they may be oriented are for convenience only in describing such as it appears in the drawings. Such terms of direction and location are not intended to be limiting in ay fashion, or to imply that the device or method herein has to be used or positioned with graphics in any particular orientation. Further, in not otherwise defined, by the term substantially is meant, plus or minus five percent.
- the device herein disclosed describes a new and unique two piece electrical connector, which automatically engages, for communicating electric current and linear travel under force, from a conductive translating member, to a conventional C-type or X-type hand held spot welding component.
- C-type and X-type welding components or guns are well known in the industry where spot welding of metal layers is required, such as automotive manufacturing and repair.
- first electrode engaged on a first arm which is in a pivoting connection with a second arm having the second electrode thereon.
- Force from the travel of a powered member is employed to rotate one of the two arms on the pivot therebetween and thereby imparts a compressive force in between the first electrode and second electrode at a compression point.
- a spot weld on metal positioned in this compression point is achieved when electric current is communicated to the two electrodes through the two arms.
- the device herein provides a two piece connector which automatically engages for use.
- the translating member at a first end is in operative communication with a hydraulic, mechanical, electric, or other powered component imparting a force in two directions upon the member during use.
- This translating force on the translating member when communicated to the C-type or X-type spot welder attachment, provides the force to both close and compress the electrodes, as well as to move them apart once the weld is achieved.
- This translating member is electrically conductive. It is also insulated from a surrounding housing to which the fixed second arm of the C-type or X-type spot welder is engaged.
- the translating member is adapted for engagement on the first end thereof with triggerable high amperage electric current which is employed to achieve the spot weld.
- a tapered portion In between the first end and the second end of the translating member is located a tapered portion. This tapered portion is configured to form a locked connection to a coupling having a tapered recess therein which mirrors the taper of the tapered portion of the exterior surface of the translating conductive member.
- the tapered portion of the translating conductive member is formed around the entire exterior circumference thereof.
- the tapered recess in the coupling is formed into the entire exterior circumferential surface thereof. This achieves a maximized area of contact between the tapered exterior surface of the tapered portion of the member, and the tapered interior circumference of the recess of the coupling. This maximizes the area for communication of electric current therebetween.
- An annular recess formed into the translating member adjacent the tapered portion is configured to engage with at least one and preferably a plurality of balls, projecting into the recess of the coupling.
- the tapered exterior surface area of the translating member upon linear movement into the coupling forms a ramp. This ramp is preferred as it serves to more easily move the balls thereover and overcome a bias imparted thereto by a biasing member acting on the balls.
- biasing member is meant a spring or other compressible member or the like. The biasing force from the biasing member continues to hold the balls once they settle into the annular recess.
- the conductive and translating member self-locks into the coupling engaged to the rotating first arm, with the tapered exterior surface area of the member in full surface contact with the tapered interior surface of the passage. With this full contact between the two surfaces the communication of electric current from the conductive member is maximized to the coupling, and to the first arm which is electrically connected thereto.
- the coupling is electrically conductive and engaged to one of the first arm or second arm of the C-type or X-type spot welder attachments and also in electric engagement therewith. Consequently, electric current communicated to the conductive translating member is communicated to and through the coupling and to the arm to which it is engaged thereto, such as one form the C-type or X-type spot welder.
- the other arm is conventionally placed in fixed engagement which is grounded, such as with a connector such as a compressible collar to the housing surrounding the translating member.
- This housing is electrically insulated from the translating member using insulation such as a dialectic material, for example polymeric material.
- Electric current to form a spot weld on metal is delivered once triggered, through the two electrodes on the distal ends of the arms, from the translating conductive member in the locked engagement with the coupling and the grounded second arm.
- one arm will carry the positive current flow and the second of the arms will be grounded.
- Disengagement of the self-locking connection and contact between the tapered exterior surface of the translating member with the mirrored tapered interior circumference of the recess formed into the coupling is easily accomplished by urging a biased locking ring in a direction to release the biased force exerted on the balls.
- the annular recess in the conductive member may be pulled from the engagement by a reverse translation in a direction away from the coupling.
- movement of the conductive member away from the coupling will open the jaws of the spot welder.
- FIG. 1 depicts a conventional C-type or X-type spot welder having first and second arms in a pivoted engagement for which the device is adapted to engage and depicts the conductive tapered member of the connector herein communicating through a housing which is engaged with one arm of the welder, where the tapered portion of the conductive member engages within a mirrored tapered recess of a coupling connected which is connected to the other of the two arms.
- FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through the coupling with the conductive member in operative locked engagement therewith where the tapered circumferential portion of the conductive member is in contact with the tapered interior wall of the recess in the coupling and a plurality of balls are in biased engagement within the annular recess in the conductive member.
- FIG. 3 shows the member in the locked engagement with the coupling as in FIG. 2 from an exterior view.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4 - 4 through FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 5 depicts the device of FIGS. 1-3 but moved to an unlocked connection by translating a spring biased ring to release the balls from the annular recess.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6 - 6 of FIG. 5 .
- FIGS. 1-2 the device 10 which provides an easy to engage and disengage, self locking electric connector, which is employable to communicate electric current when operatively connected to a conventional C-type or X-type spot welder 12 .
- spot welders 12 conventionally have a first arm 14 which pivots in a rotational engagement with a second arm 16 .
- the first arm 14 is electrically isolated from a second arm 16 such as with insulating washers and bushings formed of a polymeric material, which while not shown are well known in the art.
- a first electrode 18 connected to the first arm 14 is translated into contact with the second electrode 20 engaged to the second arm 16 with metal therebetween, to form a spot weld.
- This is conventionally accomplished by the force from a motor or hydraulic driven member which translates back and forth to rotate the first arm 14 in its pivoting engagement 11 with the second arm 16 .
- Such pivoting engagements 11 are conventionally accomplished, for example, by an axle communicating through an aperture in the second arm 16 and through a passage aligned with the aperture in the first arm 14 . Insulating washers and bushings formed of polymeric or other dielectric material electrically separate the first arm 14 from the second arm 16 in such pivoting engagements 11 .
- the connector device 10 herein is adapted to engage with such spot welders 12 to provide the electric current necessary in their operation to form the spot weld.
- the connector device 10 because it is imparting force to the spot welder 12 to close the two electrodes to contact metal to be spot welded, is conventionally removably engaged to the moving arm, which as shown herein is the first arm 14 in the pivoting engagement 11 with a static second arm 16 .
- an electrically conductive member 22 such as one formed from conductive metal such as copper or aluminum or another electrically conductive metal, forms one half of the connector device 10 herein.
- This conductive member 22 is configured at a connection end or second end to form a removable engagement to a electrically conductive coupling 24 , which is engaged to the moving arm, which as shown herein is the first arm 14 to provide the movement to close the electrodes.
- the second end of the conductive member 22 engages with a coupling 24 which is in electrical engagement and operatively connected to the first arm 14 to rotate the first arm 14 and the engaged first electrode 18 toward the second arm 16 and second electrode 20 .
- FIG. 2 can be seen another view of such an engagement to a conventional spot welder 12 component having a first arm 14 rotatable on and electrically isolated from a second arm 16 .
- the conductive member 22 may be slidably engaged itself within a housing 26 , or may be engaged to an existing laterally translating shaft on a resistance welder which translates within a housing 26 . If formed to engage the translating shaft of existing resistance welders which are well known and have a electrically conductive translating shaft which slides axially within a housing 26 when triggered to do so, threads or other connective means at the first end can engage the two.
- the engagement of the housing 26 surrounding the conductive member 22 with the first arm 16 of the spot welder 12 is configured to position the conductive member 22 in alignment of the axis of the axis 45 of the conductive member 22 with the axis 47 of the coupling 24 .
- a removable engagement is formed between the second end of the conductive member 22 and a coupling 24 engaged with a first arm 14 of a spot welder 12 .
- This engagement by a fastener such as the shown collar 13 on the second arm 16 also isolates the second arm 16 electrically from any electric current in the conductive member 22 .
- the second arm 16 in the depicted configurations would conventionally be grounded.
- the conductive member 22 communicates electric current when triggered to do so to the first arm 14 of the spot welder 12 for forming a spot weld in between the electrodes 18 - 20 when they are compressed on metal.
- the second arm 11 may be electrically grounded to allow completion of the circuit wherein metal placed between the first electrode 18 and second electrode 20 will be spot welded.
- the conductive member 22 is engaged within the housing 26 which surrounds it, and electrically isolates the second arm 16 connected thereto by a fastener such as the shown collar 13 .
- the conductive member 22 is connected at a first end to a powered translation means such as a hydraulic ram, electric motor, or gear train, which may be triggered to communicate force to the conductive member 22 to translate toward or away from the coupling 24 .
- This back and forth translation of the conductive member 22 may be at a force moving toward the coupling 24 or away from the coupling 24 , such that a force to close the gap between the electrodes 18 and 20 can be imparted, as well as a force to move them apart. This movement depends on which direction the powered translation means engaged to the conductive member 22 is activated.
- the conductive member 22 is configured at the first end to engage with such powered translator, which can be triggered to impart force toward and away from the coupling 24 during use, to both force the welder 12 closed and force it to reopen.
- the second end of the conductive member 22 is shaped to engage with the coupling 24 in a locked engagement therewith, which holds the conductive member 22 locked to the coupling 24 .
- a locked engagement is preferable because while force communicated to the conductive member 22 in a direction toward the coupling 24 will keep the two engaged, when that force is reversed, to power the welder 12 back to an open configuration without the lock the conductive member 22 would separate from the coupling 24 .
- the coupling 24 in preferred modes, is in a pivoting connection 23 to the first member 14 such that it will conduct electricity once the conductive member 22 is energized.
- the pivoting connection 23 thus, will communicate electric current from the coupling 24 to the first arm 14 and the first electrode 18 once the conductive member 22 is energized.
- the device 10 herein is configured so the conductive member 22 has a tapered portion 30 sized and configured to engage in a self locking, electrically conductive engagement, within a passage 28 axially formed into a first end of the coupling 24 .
- the second end of the coupling 24 is adapted for operative pivoting engagement 23 with the chosen arm of the C-type or X-type spot welder 12 .
- this translating conductive member 22 is insulated and electrically isolated from the surrounding housing 26 .
- the surrounding housing 26 is configured for removable engagement to a fixed-position of one of the arms of the C-type or X-type spot welder 12 , here shown as second arm 16 .
- the housing 26 is configured to position and maintain the conductive member 22 axially aligned, when it translates under the force in either direction which is imparted to the first end thereof as noted above.
- the conductive member 22 is also adapted for engagement on the first end 21 thereof, with a source of high amperage electric current which is employed to achieve the spot weld such as an electric cable engaged therewith.
- a tapered portion 30 which preferably has a tapered exterior surface 41 which extends circumferentially around the conductive member 22 .
- This circumferentially tapered surface 41 serves to maximize and form an electric contact area of the conductive member 22 against the surface of a tapered wall portion 29 of the passage 28 , which is mirrored in size and shape and formed in the coupling 24 .
- An annular recess 36 formed into the exterior circumferential surface of the conductive member 22 is configured to frictionally engage with at least one and preferably a plurality of balls 38 , which will bias and project into the passage 28 of the coupling 24 to a projecting position.
- the balls 38 are located in a ball passage 51 formed into the body of the coupling 24 .
- the balls 38 are biased to maintain this projecting position by a biasing member such as a spring 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , which forces the ring 25 engaged around and sliding upon an exterior surface area 37 of the coupling 24 , toward a contact with a first ledge 27 .
- This first ledge 27 extends from the exterior surface of the coupling 24 .
- an annular slot 35 which has a diagonal wall 42 connecting to a linear wall 44 biases the balls 38 to the projecting position whereafter an interior surface area 39 of the ring 25 will hold the ball 38 to the projecting position of FIG. 4 , with the ball 38 projecting into the passage 28 from its position within the ball passage 51 .
- This contact of the ball 38 with the annular recess 36 forms the locked engagement of the conductive member 22 with the coupling 24 as shown in FIG. 4 , for example.
- the tapered portion 30 of the conductive member 22 is in full contact with the tapered wall 29 formed in mirrored shape within the collar.
- the tapered portion 30 of the exterior surface of the conductive member 22 forms a ramp which extends to a planar or linear portion 31 of the exterior surface. This configuration has been found in experimentation to allow the ball to more easily roll on the tapered portion 30 and then settle into the annular recess 36 , than a mode of the conductive member 22 without it.
- the ball 38 while in contact with the linear portion 31 , may project into the annular slot 35 and contact the diagonal wall 42 of the annular slot 35 , to hold the ring 25 spaced from any contact with the first ledge 27 as in FIG. 6 . Consequently, this linear portion 31 which runs parallel to the axis 45 of the conductive member 22 is preferred as it provides for an easier engagement of the conductive member 22 into the passage 28 .
- the balls 38 travel up the formed ramp of the tapered wall portion 29 to a peak and onto the linear potion 31 , where they project a distance both into the passage 28 and into the annular slot 35 and against the diagonal wall 42 thereof.
- the balls 38 in this slightly projecting position thereafter encounter and are biased into the annular recess 36 , by the force of the spring 40 or other biasing member, biasing the ring 25 toward the first ledge 27 .
- the balls 38 are held in a biased engagement in the recess 36 formed annularly into the exterior of the conductive member 22 .
- This projection and contact of one or a plurality of the balls 38 in the annular recess 36 forms a removable locked engagement of the conductive member 22 projecting within the passage 28 with the tapered portion 30 of the conductive member 22 in contact and electric communication with the tapered wall portion 29 of the passage 28 .
- This locked engagement is maintained until released by sliding the ring 25 , with sufficient force to overcome the biasing member such as the spring 40 , in a direction away from the first ledge 27 .
- the force imparted to the conductive member 22 is employable to close the arms of the spot welder 12 on a point on metal to spot weld that point. So engaged, the force of the conductive member 22 in a reverse direction is employable to open the arms and release such a contact with metal, to allow removal of the spot welder 12 .
- FIGS. 4 and 6 are an internal passage 29 which may run axially through the conductive member 22 .
- This passage 29 can be used to communicate cooling fluid to the spot welder 12 once the conductive member 22 is engaged with the coupling 24 .
- a coolant passage 33 formed into the coupling 24 is in sealed engagement with coolant conduits formed in one or preferably both of the first and second arms of the spot welder 12 , to thereby communicate cooling fluid to positions adjacent one or preferably both electrodes. Such provides cooling during use.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Robotics (AREA)
- Resistance Welding (AREA)
Abstract
An electrical connector for removably engaging a welder to a spot welding tool having a first arm in a pivoting engagement to a second arm. The connector features an electrically conductive member engaged to or forming a powered translating shaft of a welder which is surrounded by a housing. The connector engages within a passage formed in a coupling to communicate forward and rearward movement and electric current to a first arm of a spot welding tool.
Description
- This application is a continuation application to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/954,910 filed on Jun. 17, 2020 which claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/861,722 filed on Jun. 14, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein in their respective entirety by this reference thereto.
- The disclosed device relates to the field of resistance welding more commonly known as spot welding. More particularly, this invention relates to an electrical connector having a receiving component or coupling adapted for positioning upon a hand held resistance or spot welding tool to communicate electric current thereto from a conductive member. The device herein employs a projecting translatable conductive member which is engaged to the welder or welding gun and which is configured to slide to a locked electric connection with the receiving component coupling located on the so called C-type or X-type welding tool which is operatively engaged to the welder or welding gun.
- Spot welding or resistance welding is a common manufacturing procedure of permanently engaging points upon two or more pieces of metal material through the formation of a spot weld at a point of contact between two electrodes or compression point. Prior to communication of electric current to the two electrodes positioned on opposite sides of the metal layers to be welded, force is applied between the electrodes to compress them on opposite sides of the metal layers at the spot welding point.
- Once the metal layers are in a sandwiched engagement in between the two opposing electrodes, positive electric current is triggered to communicate to one of the electrodes which travels through the metal layers at the compression point and to the second electrode which is engaged to a ground. Of course this current flow can be reversed.
- The electric current is conventionally communicated at significant amperage for a period of time whereupon resistance from the metal material positioned between the electrodes, generates heat sufficient to melt it and weld the multiple metal layers together permanently. This type of spot welding is widely used in manufacturing and automotive industries and requires no filler metal or flux during the process.
- In modern automotive manufacturing, a significant amount of the assembly of metal parts is accomplished with spot welding guns operated by robotic arms. In automotive repair, the same spot welding procedure is employed using compressive tooling components allowing for the portable positioning of the two spot welding electrodes to the spot welding point.
- In such application, where the welding tool needs to be as rigid as possible due to the high applying forces (e.g. welding of thick materials), the C-type gun attachment is widely used. As well as the high resulting rigidity, this arrangement leads to a high tooling flexibility, as the motion of the electrodes is collinear. Unlike the C-type, the so called X-type electrode and tool arrangement provides less rigidity. However, because the members holding the two electrodes are engaged at a point to yield an X configuration, the space between the two spot electrodes may be larger and the reachable workspace is far larger than with the C-type.
- With both configurations however, the electric current to achieve the resulting spot weld, when the two welding electrodes are compressed against the metal layers, must be provided by an electric connection to a conductive member, which interfaces between the welder and the spot welding electrodes. Conventionally, this conductive member, may also serve to provide the force to the arms and welding electrodes at the spot weld site, to engage both opposing spot weld electrodes compressively.
- To that end, both the C-type and X-type tools are placed in a fixed engagement to a housing of a gun or welder, which employs a translating member which is mechanically or hydraulically or electrically powered to impart a force upon translation in either of two directions. A trigger activator, in this arrangement, activates the power exerting the force to the translating member, to compress the first and second electrodes against opposite sides of the spot weld whereupon the electric current is activated to achieve the spot weld. The same trigger or release thereof is employable to reverse the force and move a pivoting arm and the electrode thereon away from the opposing electrode, to reinstate the gap therebetween.
- However, conventional spot welders have time consuming configurations for the connectors for the translating member to the spot welder which are not easily engaged or disengaged.
- The forgoing examples of related art of connectors for spot welders and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art in spot welding will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.
- In this description, any directional prepositions if employed, such as up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device or depictions as they may be oriented are for convenience only in describing such as it appears in the drawings. Such terms of direction and location are not intended to be limiting in ay fashion, or to imply that the device or method herein has to be used or positioned with graphics in any particular orientation. Further, in not otherwise defined, by the term substantially is meant, plus or minus five percent.
- The device herein disclosed describes a new and unique two piece electrical connector, which automatically engages, for communicating electric current and linear travel under force, from a conductive translating member, to a conventional C-type or X-type hand held spot welding component. Such C-type and X-type welding components or guns are well known in the industry where spot welding of metal layers is required, such as automotive manufacturing and repair.
- Conventionally, they employ a first electrode engaged on a first arm which is in a pivoting connection with a second arm having the second electrode thereon. Force from the travel of a powered member is employed to rotate one of the two arms on the pivot therebetween and thereby imparts a compressive force in between the first electrode and second electrode at a compression point. A spot weld on metal positioned in this compression point is achieved when electric current is communicated to the two electrodes through the two arms.
- The device herein, provides a two piece connector which automatically engages for use. The translating member at a first end is in operative communication with a hydraulic, mechanical, electric, or other powered component imparting a force in two directions upon the member during use. This translating force on the translating member, when communicated to the C-type or X-type spot welder attachment, provides the force to both close and compress the electrodes, as well as to move them apart once the weld is achieved.
- This translating member is electrically conductive. It is also insulated from a surrounding housing to which the fixed second arm of the C-type or X-type spot welder is engaged. The translating member is adapted for engagement on the first end thereof with triggerable high amperage electric current which is employed to achieve the spot weld. In between the first end and the second end of the translating member is located a tapered portion. This tapered portion is configured to form a locked connection to a coupling having a tapered recess therein which mirrors the taper of the tapered portion of the exterior surface of the translating conductive member.
- Preferably the tapered portion of the translating conductive member is formed around the entire exterior circumference thereof. The tapered recess in the coupling is formed into the entire exterior circumferential surface thereof. This achieves a maximized area of contact between the tapered exterior surface of the tapered portion of the member, and the tapered interior circumference of the recess of the coupling. This maximizes the area for communication of electric current therebetween.
- An annular recess formed into the translating member adjacent the tapered portion is configured to engage with at least one and preferably a plurality of balls, projecting into the recess of the coupling. The tapered exterior surface area of the translating member upon linear movement into the coupling, forms a ramp. This ramp is preferred as it serves to more easily move the balls thereover and overcome a bias imparted thereto by a biasing member acting on the balls. By biasing member is meant a spring or other compressible member or the like. The biasing force from the biasing member continues to hold the balls once they settle into the annular recess.
- In this fashion, the conductive and translating member self-locks into the coupling engaged to the rotating first arm, with the tapered exterior surface area of the member in full surface contact with the tapered interior surface of the passage. With this full contact between the two surfaces the communication of electric current from the conductive member is maximized to the coupling, and to the first arm which is electrically connected thereto.
- As noted, the coupling is electrically conductive and engaged to one of the first arm or second arm of the C-type or X-type spot welder attachments and also in electric engagement therewith. Consequently, electric current communicated to the conductive translating member is communicated to and through the coupling and to the arm to which it is engaged thereto, such as one form the C-type or X-type spot welder. The other arm is conventionally placed in fixed engagement which is grounded, such as with a connector such as a compressible collar to the housing surrounding the translating member. This housing is electrically insulated from the translating member using insulation such as a dialectic material, for example polymeric material.
- Thereafter, force imparted to translate the conductive member while in locked engagement with the coupling, will cause movement of the arm of the spot welder which is engaged to that coupling. The second arm of the spot welders engaged to the housing remains fixed relative to the first arm moved by the translating member engaged with the coupling. Thus, an opening and compressive closing of the two electrodes on distal ends of the two arms is accomplished by the force of the linear movement of the conductive member while it is engaged with the coupling.
- Electric current to form a spot weld on metal, is delivered once triggered, through the two electrodes on the distal ends of the arms, from the translating conductive member in the locked engagement with the coupling and the grounded second arm. As is well known, one arm will carry the positive current flow and the second of the arms will be grounded.
- Disengagement of the self-locking connection and contact between the tapered exterior surface of the translating member with the mirrored tapered interior circumference of the recess formed into the coupling, is easily accomplished by urging a biased locking ring in a direction to release the biased force exerted on the balls. With the balls no longer biased into an engagement, the annular recess in the conductive member may be pulled from the engagement by a reverse translation in a direction away from the coupling. However, when the balls are biased and held in the annular recess, movement of the conductive member away from the coupling will open the jaws of the spot welder.
- It is an object of this invention to provide a self-locking electric connector formed of a member and a coupling, which will maximize the electric contact between the two.
- It is a further object of this invention to provide such a self-locking electric connector which will communicate powered liner movement, in two directions, from movements of a tapered conductive member to a moving arm of a C-type or X-type spot welder.
- These together with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
- The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of this invention.
-
FIG. 1 depicts a conventional C-type or X-type spot welder having first and second arms in a pivoted engagement for which the device is adapted to engage and depicts the conductive tapered member of the connector herein communicating through a housing which is engaged with one arm of the welder, where the tapered portion of the conductive member engages within a mirrored tapered recess of a coupling connected which is connected to the other of the two arms. -
FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through the coupling with the conductive member in operative locked engagement therewith where the tapered circumferential portion of the conductive member is in contact with the tapered interior wall of the recess in the coupling and a plurality of balls are in biased engagement within the annular recess in the conductive member. -
FIG. 3 shows the member in the locked engagement with the coupling as inFIG. 2 from an exterior view. -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 throughFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 5 depicts the device ofFIGS. 1-3 but moved to an unlocked connection by translating a spring biased ring to release the balls from the annular recess. -
FIG. 6 , is a sectional view along line 6-6 ofFIG. 5 . - Referring now to the drawings of
FIGS. 1-6 , wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals. There is seen inFIGS. 1-2 , thedevice 10 which provides an easy to engage and disengage, self locking electric connector, which is employable to communicate electric current when operatively connected to a conventional C-type orX-type spot welder 12. - As noted,
such spot welders 12 conventionally have afirst arm 14 which pivots in a rotational engagement with asecond arm 16. In this rotational engagement thefirst arm 14 is electrically isolated from asecond arm 16 such as with insulating washers and bushings formed of a polymeric material, which while not shown are well known in the art. - In operation of
conventional spot welders 12, afirst electrode 18 connected to thefirst arm 14 is translated into contact with thesecond electrode 20 engaged to thesecond arm 16 with metal therebetween, to form a spot weld. This is conventionally accomplished by the force from a motor or hydraulic driven member which translates back and forth to rotate thefirst arm 14 in itspivoting engagement 11 with thesecond arm 16.Such pivoting engagements 11 are conventionally accomplished, for example, by an axle communicating through an aperture in thesecond arm 16 and through a passage aligned with the aperture in thefirst arm 14. Insulating washers and bushings formed of polymeric or other dielectric material electrically separate thefirst arm 14 from thesecond arm 16 insuch pivoting engagements 11. - The
connector device 10 herein is adapted to engage withsuch spot welders 12 to provide the electric current necessary in their operation to form the spot weld. Theconnector device 10, because it is imparting force to thespot welder 12 to close the two electrodes to contact metal to be spot welded, is conventionally removably engaged to the moving arm, which as shown herein is thefirst arm 14 in the pivotingengagement 11 with a staticsecond arm 16. - As seen in
FIG. 1 , an electricallyconductive member 22, such as one formed from conductive metal such as copper or aluminum or another electrically conductive metal, forms one half of theconnector device 10 herein. Thisconductive member 22 is configured at a connection end or second end to form a removable engagement to a electricallyconductive coupling 24, which is engaged to the moving arm, which as shown herein is thefirst arm 14 to provide the movement to close the electrodes. As shown, the second end of theconductive member 22 engages with acoupling 24 which is in electrical engagement and operatively connected to thefirst arm 14 to rotate thefirst arm 14 and the engagedfirst electrode 18 toward thesecond arm 16 andsecond electrode 20. - In
FIG. 2 can be seen another view of such an engagement to aconventional spot welder 12 component having afirst arm 14 rotatable on and electrically isolated from asecond arm 16. As shown, theconductive member 22 may be slidably engaged itself within ahousing 26, or may be engaged to an existing laterally translating shaft on a resistance welder which translates within ahousing 26. If formed to engage the translating shaft of existing resistance welders which are well known and have a electrically conductive translating shaft which slides axially within ahousing 26 when triggered to do so, threads or other connective means at the first end can engage the two. - If formed as part of a resistive welder which has a
housing 26, theconductive member 22 itself may form the translating shaft within the housing and be engaged to a power source of the welder. The conducting member in this mode will, thus, translate within thehousing 26 when triggered to do so. Theconductive member 22 is configured at a second end to engage acoupling 24 attached to a first arm of aspot welder 12. As such, what is meant by configured to engage a translating shaft of a welder is meant that the first end of theconductive member 22 may be connected to a translating shaft of the welder or form it. - The engagement of the
housing 26 surrounding theconductive member 22 with thefirst arm 16 of thespot welder 12 is configured to position theconductive member 22 in alignment of the axis of theaxis 45 of theconductive member 22 with theaxis 47 of thecoupling 24. A removable engagement is formed between the second end of theconductive member 22 and acoupling 24 engaged with afirst arm 14 of aspot welder 12. - This engagement by a fastener such as the shown
collar 13 on thesecond arm 16 also isolates thesecond arm 16 electrically from any electric current in theconductive member 22. Thesecond arm 16 in the depicted configurations would conventionally be grounded. In this engaged position, such as is also shown inFIG. 3-4 , theconductive member 22 communicates electric current when triggered to do so to thefirst arm 14 of thespot welder 12 for forming a spot weld in between the electrodes 18-20 when they are compressed on metal. Thesecond arm 11 may be electrically grounded to allow completion of the circuit wherein metal placed between thefirst electrode 18 andsecond electrode 20 will be spot welded. - In a preferred mode of the
device 10, theconductive member 22 is engaged within thehousing 26 which surrounds it, and electrically isolates thesecond arm 16 connected thereto by a fastener such as the showncollar 13. Theconductive member 22 is connected at a first end to a powered translation means such as a hydraulic ram, electric motor, or gear train, which may be triggered to communicate force to theconductive member 22 to translate toward or away from thecoupling 24. - This back and forth translation of the
conductive member 22 may be at a force moving toward thecoupling 24 or away from thecoupling 24, such that a force to close the gap between theelectrodes conductive member 22 is activated. Thus, theconductive member 22 is configured at the first end to engage with such powered translator, which can be triggered to impart force toward and away from thecoupling 24 during use, to both force thewelder 12 closed and force it to reopen. - The second end of the
conductive member 22 is shaped to engage with thecoupling 24 in a locked engagement therewith, which holds theconductive member 22 locked to thecoupling 24. Such a locked engagement is preferable because while force communicated to theconductive member 22 in a direction toward thecoupling 24 will keep the two engaged, when that force is reversed, to power thewelder 12 back to an open configuration without the lock theconductive member 22 would separate from thecoupling 24. Thecoupling 24, in preferred modes, is in apivoting connection 23 to thefirst member 14 such that it will conduct electricity once theconductive member 22 is energized. The pivotingconnection 23, thus, will communicate electric current from thecoupling 24 to thefirst arm 14 and thefirst electrode 18 once theconductive member 22 is energized. - As shown in
FIG. 3-4 , thedevice 10 herein is configured so theconductive member 22 has a taperedportion 30 sized and configured to engage in a self locking, electrically conductive engagement, within apassage 28 axially formed into a first end of thecoupling 24. The second end of thecoupling 24 is adapted foroperative pivoting engagement 23 with the chosen arm of the C-type orX-type spot welder 12. - As noted and shown in
FIGS. 3-4 , depicting theconductive member 22 herein in a locked engagement with thecoupling 24, this translatingconductive member 22, such as shown inFIGS. 2 and 6 , is insulated and electrically isolated from the surroundinghousing 26. The surroundinghousing 26 is configured for removable engagement to a fixed-position of one of the arms of the C-type orX-type spot welder 12, here shown assecond arm 16. Thehousing 26 is configured to position and maintain theconductive member 22 axially aligned, when it translates under the force in either direction which is imparted to the first end thereof as noted above. Theconductive member 22 is also adapted for engagement on thefirst end 21 thereof, with a source of high amperage electric current which is employed to achieve the spot weld such as an electric cable engaged therewith. - In between the first end and second end of the
conductive member 22 is positioned a taperedportion 30 which preferably has a taperedexterior surface 41 which extends circumferentially around theconductive member 22. This circumferentially taperedsurface 41 serves to maximize and form an electric contact area of theconductive member 22 against the surface of atapered wall portion 29 of thepassage 28, which is mirrored in size and shape and formed in thecoupling 24. - An
annular recess 36 formed into the exterior circumferential surface of theconductive member 22, is configured to frictionally engage with at least one and preferably a plurality ofballs 38, which will bias and project into thepassage 28 of thecoupling 24 to a projecting position. Theballs 38 are located in aball passage 51 formed into the body of thecoupling 24. - The
balls 38 are biased to maintain this projecting position by a biasing member such as aspring 40 shown inFIGS. 3 and 6 , which forces thering 25 engaged around and sliding upon an exterior surface area 37 of thecoupling 24, toward a contact with afirst ledge 27. Thisfirst ledge 27 extends from the exterior surface of thecoupling 24. With thering 25 biased toward thefirst ledge 27, anannular slot 35 which has adiagonal wall 42 connecting to alinear wall 44 biases theballs 38 to the projecting position whereafter aninterior surface area 39 of thering 25 will hold theball 38 to the projecting position ofFIG. 4 , with theball 38 projecting into thepassage 28 from its position within theball passage 51. This contact of theball 38 with theannular recess 36 forms the locked engagement of theconductive member 22 with thecoupling 24 as shown inFIG. 4 , for example. As noted herein, in this locked engagement the taperedportion 30 of theconductive member 22 is in full contact with the taperedwall 29 formed in mirrored shape within the collar. - In reaching this locked engagement shown in
FIG. 4 , from the unlocked engagement ofFIG. 6 , for example, the taperedportion 30 of the exterior surface of theconductive member 22, forms a ramp which extends to a planar orlinear portion 31 of the exterior surface. This configuration has been found in experimentation to allow the ball to more easily roll on the taperedportion 30 and then settle into theannular recess 36, than a mode of theconductive member 22 without it. - Further, the
ball 38 while in contact with thelinear portion 31, may project into theannular slot 35 and contact thediagonal wall 42 of theannular slot 35, to hold thering 25 spaced from any contact with thefirst ledge 27 as inFIG. 6 . Consequently, thislinear portion 31 which runs parallel to theaxis 45 of theconductive member 22 is preferred as it provides for an easier engagement of theconductive member 22 into thepassage 28. - In operation, when the
conductive member 22 is pushed into thepassage 28 of thecoupling 24, the force of theballs 38 running up the formed ramp defined by the taperedwall portion 29 and across thelinear potion 31, is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of thespring 40. This will force theballs 38 out of the way and concurrently slide thering 25 in a direction away from thefirst ledge 27 when theball 38 is forced against thediagonal wall 42 of theannular slot 35 in thering 25. This action actuates an automatic sliding of thering 25 away from the annularfirst ledge 27 to a position allowing theball 38 to move along the taperedportion 30 andlinear portion 21 of the exterior surface of theconductive member 22. - During this engagement process, as the
conductive member 22 is translated by force into thepassage 28, theballs 38 travel up the formed ramp of the taperedwall portion 29 to a peak and onto thelinear potion 31, where they project a distance both into thepassage 28 and into theannular slot 35 and against thediagonal wall 42 thereof. Theballs 38 in this slightly projecting position, thereafter encounter and are biased into theannular recess 36, by the force of thespring 40 or other biasing member, biasing thering 25 toward thefirst ledge 27. - In this fashion, the
balls 38 are held in a biased engagement in therecess 36 formed annularly into the exterior of theconductive member 22. This projection and contact of one or a plurality of theballs 38 in theannular recess 36 forms a removable locked engagement of theconductive member 22 projecting within thepassage 28 with the taperedportion 30 of theconductive member 22 in contact and electric communication with the taperedwall portion 29 of thepassage 28. This locked engagement is maintained until released by sliding thering 25, with sufficient force to overcome the biasing member such as thespring 40, in a direction away from thefirst ledge 27. - As noted, with the
conductive member 22 in this removable engagement with thecoupling 24, a force imparted to translate theconductive member 22 in either direction will cause movement of the arm engaged to thecoupling 24. Thus, the force imparted to theconductive member 22, locked in engagement by theballs 38 to thecoupling 24, is employable to close the arms of thespot welder 12 on a point on metal to spot weld that point. So engaged, the force of theconductive member 22 in a reverse direction is employable to open the arms and release such a contact with metal, to allow removal of thespot welder 12. - Additionally shown in
FIGS. 4 and 6 are aninternal passage 29 which may run axially through theconductive member 22. Thispassage 29 can be used to communicate cooling fluid to thespot welder 12 once theconductive member 22 is engaged with thecoupling 24. Acoolant passage 33 formed into thecoupling 24 is in sealed engagement with coolant conduits formed in one or preferably both of the first and second arms of thespot welder 12, to thereby communicate cooling fluid to positions adjacent one or preferably both electrodes. Such provides cooling during use. - The
device 10 shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed for providing a portable resistance welder multi-purpose attachment device in accordance with the spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims. As such, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and will be appreciated that in some instance some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims (16)
1. An electrical connector for removably engaging a welder to a spot welding tool having a first arm in a pivoting engagement to a second arm, comprising:
a conductive member having a first end opposite a second end thereof;
said first end of said conductive member engageable to a translating shaft of a welder;
a coupling, said coupling configured at a first end thereof to form a connection to said first arm of said spot welder tool;
said second end of said conductive member slidable to an engagement with a second end of said coupling;
said translating shaft moveable in a first direction toward said coupling to thereby rotate said first arm to move a first electrode engaged thereto toward a second electrode engaged to said second arm, wherein electric current communicated from said welder through said conductive member to said coupling will energize said first electrode and said second electrode to form a spot weld on metal placed therebetween.
2. The electrical connector of claim 1 , additionally comprising:
an exterior surface of said conductive member having a tapered portion thereof;
an interior surface of an interior passage extending into said second end of said coupling, having a tapered section thereof; and
said engagement of said second end of said coupling to said second end of said conductive member positioning said tapered portion of said exterior surface of said conductive member in contact with said tapered section of said interior surface of said passage.
3. The electrical connector of claim 1 , additionally comprising:
said connection of said coupling at said first end thereof, being a rotational engagement with said first arm.
4. The electrical connector of claim 2 , additionally comprising:
said connection of said coupling at said first end thereof, being a rotational engagement with said first arm.
5. The electrical connector of claim 1 , additionally comprising:
said engagement of said second end of said conductive member with said second end of said coupling being a locked engagement.
6. The electrical connector of claim 2 , additionally comprising:
said engagement of said second end of said conductive member with said second end of said coupling being a locked engagement.
7. The electrical connector of claim 3 , additionally comprising:
said engagement of said second end of said conductive member with said second end of said coupling being a locked engagement.
8. The electrical connector of claim 4 , additionally comprising:
said engagement of said second end of said conductive member with said second end of said coupling being a locked engagement.
9. The electrical connector of claim 2 , additionally comprising:
a collar slidably engaged around an exterior surface of said coupling;
at least one ball positioned within a ball passage, said ball passage communicating with said interior passage of said coupling;
a biasing member biasing said collar toward said second end of said coupling to a locking position;
an interior surface of said collar biasing said ball within said ball passage to a position having a portion of said ball projecting into said interior passage of said collar;
an annular recess formed into said exterior surface of said conductive member; and
a locked engagement formed by said portion of said ball projecting into said passage of said collar being positioned within said annular recess.
10. The electrical connector of claim 5 , additionally comprising:
a collar slidably engaged around an exterior surface of said coupling;
at least one ball positioned within a ball passage, said ball passage communicating with said interior passage of said coupling;
a biasing member biasing said collar toward said second end of said coupling to a locking position;
an interior surface of said collar biasing said ball within said ball passage to a position having a portion of said ball projecting into said interior passage of said collar;
an annular recess formed into said exterior surface of said conductive member; and
said locked engagement formed by said portion of said ball projecting into said passage of said collar being positioned within said annular recess.
11. The electrical connector of claim 6 , additionally comprising:
a collar slidably engaged around an exterior surface of said coupling;
at least one ball positioned within a ball passage, said ball passage communicating with said interior passage of said coupling;
a biasing member biasing said collar toward said second end of said coupling to a locking position;
an interior surface of said collar biasing said ball within said ball passage to a position having a portion of said ball projecting into said interior passage of said collar;
an annular recess formed into said exterior surface of said conductive member; and
said locked engagement formed by said portion of said ball projecting into said passage of said collar being positioned within said annular recess.
12. The electrical connector of claim 8 , additionally comprising:
a collar slidably engaged around an exterior surface of said coupling;
at least one ball positioned within a ball passage, said ball passage communicating with said interior passage of said coupling;
a biasing member biasing said collar toward said second end of said coupling to a locking position;
an interior surface of said collar biasing said ball within said ball passage to a position having a portion of said ball projecting into said interior passage of said collar;
an annular recess formed into said exterior surface of said conductive member; and
said locked engagement formed by said portion of said ball projecting into said passage of said collar being positioned within said annular recess.
13. The electrical connector of claim 1 , additionally comprising:
said translating shaft of said welder being surrounded by a housing; and
a connector for engaging said housing to said second arm of said welder.
14. The electrical connector of claim 2 , additionally comprising:
said translating shaft of said welder being surrounded by a housing; and
a connector for engaging said housing to said second arm of said welder.
15. The electrical connector of claim 6 , additionally comprising:
said translating shaft of said welder being surrounded by a housing; and
a connector for engaging said housing to said second arm of said welder.
16. The electrical connector of claim 8 , additionally comprising:
said translating shaft of said welder being surrounded by a housing; and
a connector for engaging said housing to said second arm of said welder.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/872,902 US20220355411A1 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2022-07-25 | Electric Connector Engaging a Welder to a Spot Welding Tool |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201962861722P | 2019-06-14 | 2019-06-14 | |
PCT/US2020/037809 WO2020252482A1 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2020-06-15 | Electric connector engaging a welder to a sport welding tool |
US16/954,910 US11396058B2 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2020-06-15 | Electric connector engaging a welder to a spot welding tool |
US17/872,902 US20220355411A1 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2022-07-25 | Electric Connector Engaging a Welder to a Spot Welding Tool |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/954,910 Continuation US11396058B2 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2020-06-15 | Electric connector engaging a welder to a spot welding tool |
PCT/US2020/037809 Continuation WO2020252482A1 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2020-06-15 | Electric connector engaging a welder to a sport welding tool |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220355411A1 true US20220355411A1 (en) | 2022-11-10 |
Family
ID=73781311
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/954,910 Active US11396058B2 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2020-06-15 | Electric connector engaging a welder to a spot welding tool |
US17/872,902 Abandoned US20220355411A1 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2022-07-25 | Electric Connector Engaging a Welder to a Spot Welding Tool |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/954,910 Active US11396058B2 (en) | 2019-06-14 | 2020-06-15 | Electric connector engaging a welder to a spot welding tool |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US11396058B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3983165A4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020252482A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3743816A (en) * | 1970-10-11 | 1973-07-03 | R Sato | Resistance-type spot welding machine |
CN102357728A (en) * | 2011-09-20 | 2012-02-22 | 温州日基电子机械有限公司 | Pneumatic point welding pliers |
US20150108099A1 (en) * | 2012-05-15 | 2015-04-23 | Comau S.P.A | Multi-Axis Industrial Robot With Integrated Tool |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN2158322Y (en) * | 1993-04-06 | 1994-03-09 | 成都市成华区望江电焊机厂 | Hand-hold spot welding machine |
RU1977U1 (en) * | 1995-04-25 | 1996-04-16 | Виктор Александрович Екимов | HAND POINT WELDING MACHINE |
US6706990B1 (en) * | 2002-12-03 | 2004-03-16 | Goran K. Olsson | Resistance welder multi-purpose attachment |
RU82153U1 (en) * | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-20 | Открытое акционерное общество "Новосибирский завод химконцентратов" | CONTACT Spot Welding Pliers |
CN203566070U (en) * | 2013-09-12 | 2014-04-30 | 深圳市鸿栢科技实业有限公司 | X-shaped spot welding pliers with electric cylinder |
CN208132182U (en) * | 2018-03-02 | 2018-11-23 | 浙江吉润汽车有限公司 | A kind of pliers spot welding head |
-
2020
- 2020-06-15 WO PCT/US2020/037809 patent/WO2020252482A1/en unknown
- 2020-06-15 EP EP20823212.4A patent/EP3983165A4/en active Pending
- 2020-06-15 US US16/954,910 patent/US11396058B2/en active Active
-
2022
- 2022-07-25 US US17/872,902 patent/US20220355411A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3743816A (en) * | 1970-10-11 | 1973-07-03 | R Sato | Resistance-type spot welding machine |
CN102357728A (en) * | 2011-09-20 | 2012-02-22 | 温州日基电子机械有限公司 | Pneumatic point welding pliers |
US20150108099A1 (en) * | 2012-05-15 | 2015-04-23 | Comau S.P.A | Multi-Axis Industrial Robot With Integrated Tool |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20220126391A1 (en) | 2022-04-28 |
US11396058B2 (en) | 2022-07-26 |
WO2020252482A1 (en) | 2020-12-17 |
EP3983165A4 (en) | 2023-07-12 |
EP3983165A1 (en) | 2022-04-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8754347B2 (en) | Resistance spot welder | |
US20210178457A1 (en) | Metallic sheet securement | |
JP5032783B2 (en) | Resistance spot welding machine | |
US7770777B2 (en) | Portable friction forge welder | |
JP2003503206A (en) | Projection welding structure of aluminum sheet | |
JP7036337B2 (en) | Electrical resistance welding head with electrodes located on the same side | |
US20140360993A1 (en) | Multi-function and multi-vehicle-type robot apparatus for common use | |
US11396058B2 (en) | Electric connector engaging a welder to a spot welding tool | |
DE3300361A1 (en) | MANIPULATOR | |
US20230050221A1 (en) | Resistance Multi Purpose Welder Attachment | |
CN106425255B (en) | Robot welding positioner | |
EP1332825A1 (en) | Projection bolt welding device | |
US4841118A (en) | Orbital weld head tool | |
JP2002524266A (en) | Resistance welding | |
US2256028A (en) | Portable welding device | |
JP6101148B2 (en) | Resistance welding equipment | |
CN209850082U (en) | Adjustable grounding conductive device for welding | |
JPH0248143Y2 (en) | ||
JP2602139B2 (en) | Supply tightening method and apparatus for bolts or nuts etc. | |
JP3830161B2 (en) | Tube end widening machine | |
US11618097B2 (en) | Welder comprising a detachable arm provided with a rotationally mobile part supporting an electrode | |
US3549855A (en) | Jig welding gun | |
US5708248A (en) | Apparatus for pull spot welding | |
US20240001480A1 (en) | Multi-pin friction stir welding tool | |
CN215259197U (en) | Hose installation device for hydrogenation station |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |